(The Center Square) – The Arizona Democratic Native American Caucus is urging Vice President Kamala Harris to pick U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly as her running mate.
Harris is expected to announce her pick on Tuesday before her rally in Philadelphia. The caucus also announced that they are officially endorsing Harris in her presidential campaign for the 2024 presidential election.
“The Caucus, composed of Native American members of the Arizona Democratic Party, elected leaders, and allies, has long advocated for policies that support and uplift Native American communities,” reads a press release from the Arizona Democrats. “This endorsement comes after comprehensive dialogue amongst Caucus members.”
Multiple tribal leaders are Arizona Democratic delegates and have already expressed their endorsement for Harris, but now the tribes are calling for Kelly to take the stage as well.
“Senator Mark Kelly’s dedicated advocacy for tribal nations in Arizona and his efforts in the Senate have shown that he is the leader we need as the next Vice President,” reads the news release.
Colorado River Indian Tribes Chairwoman Amelia Flores went so far as to submit an open letter to Harris, asking her to pick Kelly.
“Sen. Kelly knows how to talk to Indian country,” reads her letter. “ He has been here, he understands our issues, and he will be an asset to your ticket. In Arizona, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, Native American voters are a key swing state voting bloc. Adding him to your ticket will help in November and advance our shared vision of an America that lives up to its treaty and trust responsibilities.”
Kelly has worked with tribes throughout his term as senator, helping shape the bipartisan infrastructure law to include improvement to tribal roadways, increasing access to high-speed internet, fully-funding tribal water settlements and opening the first long-term care facility on the Navajo Nation.
Kelly even has a page on his website for tribal members to go to if they need access to much-needed resources.
“We endorse Kamala Harris with full hearts and the hope that our collective vision for a better future will be realized,” said Ginger Torres, chairwoman of the Arizona Native American Caucus. “We stand ready to support the Harris campaign, ensuring that the voices of Native Americans are heard and respected at the highest levels of our government. Arizona’s indigenous voters are ready for Kamala Harris.”
However, if Kelly is picked by Harris and elected as vice president in November, that would leave his U.S. Senate seat open, triggering yet another special election for a U.S. Senate seat after Gov. Katie Hobbs would pick Kelly’s successor.
All eyes are on Harris to see who she will announce as her vice president pick. The two top candidates as of Monday evening appear to be Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
